MLB Player News

Teheran (7-8) took the loss against the Mets on Thursday, giving up six earned runs on eight hits over 1.1 innings, striking out two and walking three as the Braves eventually fell 10-8.

Pretty much nothing went right for the right-hander in this contest as the Mets jumped on him for three earned in the first inning before adding three more in the second and chasing him from the contest after he'd thrown 64 pitches. He had been on a nice run of three quality starts in his last four outings coming into the game, and is still having a solid season overall, with a 3.71 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 128:66 K:BB over 138.1 innings. He'll look to right the ship in his next start, which will see him take on the Marlins in a Wednesday home matchup.

Wacha (6-6) took the loss against the Reds on Thursday, giving up two earned runs on five hits over five innings, striking out three and walking two in a 2-1 loss for the Cardinals.

Wacha pitched well, but he still got tagged with his sixth loss of the season, as he was outdueled thanks to a brilliant effort from the Reds' Sonny Gray. It was a welcome bounceback after Wacha got blown up for six earned by the Dodgers in his last start on August 5, but the right-hander still sports an unimpressive 5.44 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 75:44 K:BB across 94.1 innings on the season.

Gray (8-6) picked up the win against the Cardinals on Thursday, giving up no runs on just one hit over five innings, striking out 10 and walking three as the Reds won 2-1.

The right-hander didn't work very deep into the game, but he was suffocating over his five frames in logging his second double-digit strikeout effort of the season. Gray has been fantastic in 2019, as this performance gives him a shiny 2.98 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 154:50 K:BB across 132.2 innings.

Darvish allowed four hits and no walks while striking out 10 across seven scoreless innings Thursday against the Phillies. He did not factor into the decision.

Darvish was masterful Thursday, racking up 17 swinging strikes on 92 total pitches to turn in his third double-digit strikeout effort of the season. He also kept the ball in the yard, not allowing a homer for the first time in four starts. Perhaps equally important, Darvish also showed strong control of the strike zone, turning in his fourth consecutive start without surrendering a free pass. After a disastrous start to the season, Darvish has recovered to post a 4.21 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 168 strikeouts across 139 innings for the season. He'll look to keep things going in his next start, currently scheduled for Wednesday against San Francisco.

Smyly allowed five earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out six across five innings Thursday against the Cubs. He did not factor into the decision.

Smyly pitched well through three innings, allowing only one run on a solo homer. He stumbled down the stretch, however, allowing four hits and three earned runs in the fourth frame. After allowing only one earned run across his first 13 innings and two appearances with the Phillies, Smyly has allowed 14 earned runs in his last 15.2 frames -- spanning three starts. That's balanced out to a 4.71 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 30 strikeouts across 28.2 innings in his tenure with his new club. He'll look to get back on track in his next start, currently scheduled for Wednesday at Boston.

Buehler (10-3) allowed five earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out six across four innings to take the loss Thursday against the Marlins.

Despite allowing an earned run in both the first and third innings, Buehler was still turning in a respectable start by striking out four of the first nine batters he faced. However, things went downhill in the fifth inning, as he allowed the first seven batters he faced to reach base prior to being pulled. Given the matchup, Buehler's stumble was surprising. However, he still owns a 3.31 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 166 strikeouts across 141.1 innings for the season. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, currently scheduled for Wednesday against Toronto.

Manager Bruce Bochy mentioned Webb as a candidate to fill the opening in the Giants' rotation Saturday against the Diamondbacks, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Since Webb is already on the 40-man roster, is stretched out to start and would be available on his normal four days' rest, he makes for a logical choice to fill the rotation spot that was vacated by Shaun Anderson's (finger) recent move to the injured list. Webb posted a 1.92 ERA in 11 starts at Double-A Richmond before moving up to Triple-A Sacramento this week and excelling in his Pacific Coast League debut, holding Nashville to one run on seven hits while striking out seven in seven innings. Anderson is expected back from the IL next week, so Webb would likely only be in line for a spot start if he gets a callup.

Contrary to previous reports, the plan is for Hill (forearm) to return as a starter, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Hill played catch from 120 feet Thursday and is scheduled to throw off a mound next week for the first time since landing on the injured list June 20. The veteran southpaw is expected to throw four bullpen sessions before returning to game action; since the minor-league season will likely be over at that time, Hill will likely have to build his pitch count up during subsequent appearances in the majors -- similar to spring training -- with the hope of getting up to speed before the end of the season.

Lugo (3-5) was the pitcher of record in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Braves after retiring only one of the seven batters he faced and allowing five runs on five hits and a walk.

Just as he had started to gain a foothold as a potential top closing candidate for the Mets, Lugo imploded in what was by far his worst outing of the season. It's worth noting that Lugo entered the game in the seventh, with manager Mickey Callaway relaying afterward that he had planned on using the right-hander for two innings before turning to a matchups-based combination of Edwin Diaz and Justin Wilson in the ninth inning, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Lugo's usage Wednesday coupled with Callaway's comments offer further evidence that the Mets' closing situation is truly in flux, though Diaz and Lugo still look like the better speculative options for saves than Wilson.

Ray (back) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Ray exited his start against the Rockies on Wednesday prior to the third inning with a right lower back spasm; while Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports that Ray's MRI didn't reveal anything overly serious -- just back spasms -- the injury will still force the left-hander to spend at least 10 days on the shelf. Jon Duplantier was summoned from the minors in a corresponding move and is a candidate to replace Ray in the rotation for the time being.